Gateway International Airport (GWI) in Ilishan-Iperu, Ogun State, has officially commenced commercial flight operations, marking a significant milestone in the state’s aviation and economic development agenda.
The airport began operations on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, after receiving an Interim Aerodrome Operational Permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), authorising it to handle scheduled passenger services.
Governor Dapo Abiodun described the launch as “a dream fulfilled,” emphasising that the facility would strengthen Ogun’s position as a strategic trade and logistics hub in Nigeria’s South-West.
Domestic carrier ValueJet operated the maiden flight to Abuja and will run two weekly round trips between Gateway International Airport and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport every Tuesday and Thursday.
Departures from Ilishan-Iperu are scheduled for 8:30 a.m., arriving in Abuja at 9:45 a.m., with return flights leaving Abuja at 4:00 p.m. and arriving back in Ogun by 5:15 p.m.
Tickets for the flights went on sale on September 25, 2025, through ValueJet’s online platform, travel agencies, and ticket counters at the airport.
Located near the Sagamu Interchange along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Gateway International Airport, also known as the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, was designed to handle both passenger and cargo operations.
It features a modern runway equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS/DME) on Runway 23, certified by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for unrestricted use.
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The airport is expected to boost agricultural exports, attract new investments, and open up the Remo industrial corridor to domestic and international trade.
Aviation experts say the development will ease pressure on Lagos airports and offer faster travel options for business and leisure travellers across the South-West.
Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging the facility for economic transformation, stating that the airport
“will not only serve as an aviation gateway but as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and infrastructural development across Ogun State.”